Liverpool MP calls on government to "do the right thing" ahead of Hillsborough debate

On Monday,
Steve Rotheram, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton will initiate a debate in the House of Commons calling for the full and uncensored publication of all government document relating to the 1989 Hillsborough football disaster. Writing for Ed Jacob's weekly political slot in the Northerner, he previews the debate.

The Anfield pitch at last year's 21st anniversary of the disaster. The issue won't go away. Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Liverpool MP calls on government to "do the right thing" ahead of Hillsborough debate

On Monday,
Steve Rotheram, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton will initiate a debate in the House of Commons calling for the full and uncensored publication of all government document relating to the 1989 Hillsborough football disaster. Writing for Ed Jacob's weekly political slot in the Northerner, he previews the debate.

Friday 14 October 2011 05.00 EDT
First published on Friday 14 October 2011 05.00 EDT

On April 1989 there began a new, and very dark chapter in our city's history. On what should have been a day to remember for all the right reasons it was a day we have been forced to remember for the wrong ones.

The deaths of 96 people were a tragedy for the fans, their families and for football, but what followed was a tragedy for British politics, British policing and British journalism.

Over the last few weeks I have been writing my speech for Monday night and every time I sit down and put pen to paper, I cannot help but think one thing; after the 7/7 bombings, would the country and the politicians have stood by and allowed the questions of why it happened and how it happened and what could have been done to prevent it, linger for two decades?

My gut feeling is that we wouldn't. So why have we let the families of people who died at the Hillsborough disaster wait for over two decades for answers? There is a prevailing sense that someone, somewhere has something to hide.

So Monday night will be the first time since that tragic day that the House of Commons will debate the Hillsborough tragedy with the prospect of MPs having to vote on whether or not to release the full and uncensored government documents relating to the disaster and its aftermath.

The fatal crush on the Leppings Lane terraces. Photograph: Frank Baron for the Guardian

We must be clear. The Prime Minister has committed to releasing the 1989 Cabinet minutes but the truth is, that isn't enough. I want the government to release ALL the unredacted and uncensored government documents relating to Hillsborough from 1989 to the present day. The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, is in full agreement with me on this and I hope he supports me in the chamber and the voting lobby.

The country came out in force this summer and we cannot lose sight of the fact that the reason 140,000 people signed the petition is because 96 people lost their lives on that darkest of spring days. It was a clear sign from the country that they were standing shoulder to shoulder with the families. Now it is time for parliament to join that expression of solidarity and put the wrongs of the past 22 years right.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel are due to present their findings next year. My hope is that after Monday's debate, the government will do the right thing and release all the documentation – free from censorship – and perhaps then we can move a step closer to finally achieving justice for the 96.

Steve Rotheram is Labour MP for LIverpool Walton. The debate starts at 7pm on Monday, 17 October, and is expected to last three hours.